[Neoplasms and angiogenesis]

Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessels formation in many physiological and pathological conditions such as wound healing, cancer, ischaemic diseases (of heart or limb) and chronic inflammations. Neoplastic angiogenesis plays an important role in progression of the disease and development of metastases. The angiogenic process may be initiated by hypoxia in cancerous cells, mutations in suppressor genes or oncogenes. Cancer cells activate specific angiogenic factors mainly vasoendothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulate migration and division of vascular endothelial cells. The studies of several pro- and antiangiogenic molecules and factors, and mechanism of vessel growth, have revealed that therapeutic interferences with these processes offers a tool for clinical applications in various pathologies. Inhibition of angiogenesis can prevent diseases with excessive vessel growth such as, particularly, cancers. Stimulation of angiogenesis can be beneficial in the treatment of diseases such as coronary disease and limb ischaemia. In this article some aspects are presented of current knowledge of angiogenesis and its regulation.